Vanya Wryter Consulting Services

Tag: time management

  • Work Smarter, Not Harder: Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

    Work Smarter, Not Harder: Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

    It took a while for the well-known phrase “work smarter, not harder” to sink into my brain years after I’d first heard it. I get it now: the words are about focusing on efficiency and getting better results without burning out. But when I was younger, I used to think that working longer hours and keeping very busy would yield better results. That was really stupid because it was a recipe for burnout. Yet that’s what we’re taught in school. 

    They say, get good grades, then get a job working 40 hours a week so you can retire at 65 is the ideal formula for success in life. But when I started to study business, I started to hear “work smarter, not harder” and identify the few actions that create the greatest impact. This principle is the 80/20 rule: 80% of results often come from 20% of effort. It’s not saying “be lazy.” It’s saying to use your time wisely.

    Technology also plays a vital role. Automation tools, project management apps, and AI assistants reduce repetitive work, freeing up time for higher-value thinking (and eating and watching TV so you’re not burned out). Rather than slogging through routine tasks, you can dedicate energy to problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making.

    Another key element is leveraging strengths. Working smarter doesn’t mean avoiding hard work altogether. It means putting your effort where your skills shine brightest. (Like spending more time on your favorite subjects when you were in school. Now that’s fun!) 

    In the end, working smarter is about asking: Is this task worth my time? Is there an easier, faster, or better way? The goal isn’t to avoid effort, but to maximize it. Then you achieve more in less time with far less stress!

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
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  • How to Find Work-Life Balance in a Fast-Paced World

    How to Find Work-Life Balance in a Fast-Paced World

    In a world that moves at the speed of instant messaging and 24-hour services, burnout is almost inevitable. Especially with remote work people like me, the line between home and office often blurs when you’re answering a work email before bed. Striking the right balance isn’t about clocking out at 5 p.m. sharp every day—it’s about creating a schedule that supports both your professional goals and your personal well-being.

    Why It Matters

    When I first started working from home, I thought skipping my commute would free up more time for myself. It did, but I found myself answering late-night emails and checking Slack before breakfast. The lines between work and home life became blurred. Eventually, I realized that being always available didn’t make me more productive—it made me live in my office.

    Strategies for Better Balance

    1 Set Clear Boundaries
    It’s hard to set a clear work schedule (some people do) when you’re working with people in more than one time zone. I find it easier to work in time blocks. This way, I can still check my email at night after hours, but I’m not constantly responding to messages throughout the day, whenever they happen to land on my desk.

    2 Prioritize Tasks
    I like to start the day off with an easy task so I immediately feel like I’ve accomplished something. Then I tackle the tasks that must be done that day, and work on the tasks that don’t have deadlines last. If the time-sensitive task is something I loathe doing, I reward myself with a snack when I’m done.

    3 Take Breaks
    Working from home gives you easy access to YouTube and streaming TV. I use break times to watch a few videos, take a walk, or have a snack. (If the work that day is stressful, I take more breaks.)

    4 Make Time for What Matters
    Whether it’s reading a book before bed or having dinner with family, these moments are important. I block off a few hours a day for “me time,” social time, and study time. 

    5 Communicate Openly
    When you work remotely, the office isn’t as aware if you’re struggling with work issues. I need to take the responsibility of telling my manager when I’m stretched thin, and need deadlines adjusted and tasks reallocated. This is the best way to establish some boundaries and protect your mental health.

    The Takeaway

    Work-life balance isn’t always easy to achieve. Some weeks will be harder than others, but regularly checking in with yourself makes all the difference. By protecting your personal time, you protect your energy, creativity, and motivation.  

  • How to Ruin Your Day: A Fun Recipe for Disaster

    How to Ruin Your Day: A Fun Recipe for Disaster

    Looking to add flavor to your day with a generous helping of poor decisions and bad timing? You’ve come to the right place! Today, we’re whipping up the ultimate Recipe for Disaster. This dish serves one (and can become some great leftovers). 

    Prep time: technically all day. 

    Cook time: however long it takes you to procrastinate or create a plethora of mistakes!

    Ingredients:

    • 1 alarm you definitely snoozed too many times
    • 0 minutes of actual planning
    • 1 big, looming deadline you forgot you had or ignored
    • 1 brand-new software program you haven’t figured out yet
    • 1 snack that looks 3x better than it tastes
    • 3 ignored texts from family
    • A generous sprinkle of “I’ll do it later”

    Instructions:

    1. Start late. Roll out of bed after hitting snooze multiple times. Expert level: you forgot to set the alarm. Stretch, yawn, and realize you meant to start your day two hours earlier.
    2. Skip the planning. Who needs a to-do list when you’ve got blind optimism and a fuzzy memory? Dive headfirst into your day and hope for the best outcome.
    3. Procrastinate with enthusiasm. Finally begin your big project that you had put off starting until today. Then discover the software you were supposed to use is something you don’t understand so you just might miss the deadline.
    4. Snack time! Never put off doing what you can avoid doing now! Time for a snack break. Reach for the delicious snack that you had been meaning to try. It looks yummy. But one bite and you don’t feel great…at all. You might be allergic.
    5. Panic. Realize the deadline is looming and you need to provide your boss with an update on your (lack) of progress. You meant to ask ChatGPT to get some of your work done but somehow you lost an hour reading about pandas time travelling.
    6. Final touch: Family drama. Mom texts, “Are you alive?” You forgot to reply three hours ago. She’s now making plans to call 911, the police, your relatives, your friends.
    7. Serve hot. Present your hastily thrown-together project with just five minutes to spare. Promise yourself you’ll never cut it this close again. Know that procrastination follows you everywhere, so you’ll probably repeat this again.

    Tip: Disaster pairs well with coffee, regret, and a hastily muttered, “I swear I’ll have better time management tomorrow.”

    Bon appétit! Want seconds? Don’t worry, life will serve them.

  • How to Beat Procrastination and Finally Get Things Done

    How to Beat Procrastination and Finally Get Things Done

    We tend to think of procrastination as a bad habit — and it is — but it’s also a way to cope. When we feel overwhelmed, unsure, or just mentally drained, avoiding a task can feel like the only option. The problem? That relief is temporary, and the stress always circles back.

    If you’re tired of riding that cycle, here are four practical ways to break it when you’re not feeling 100% motivated.

    1. Lower the Barrier to Starting

    Most of us don’t procrastinate because we’re lazy — we procrastinate because starting feels like a mountain. So instead of saying “I need to finish this,” reframe it to “I’m just going to work on this for ten minutes.” Ten minutes is a small commitment compared to finishing a whole task. Starting is often the hardest part, but it’s easier to keep going once you’re in motion.

    2. Make the Task Clearer

    Vague goals result in vague actions. If your task is “Work on project,” it’s harder to measure how much you’re getting done. Break the task into specific actions: “Write intro paragraph” or “Choose paint color for bedroom wall.” This removes decision fatigue and gives you a clear starting point.

    3. Change Your Environment

    You can’t expect deep focus in a space that’s set up for distraction. If your phone’s constantly buzzing with notifications or you’re working where you relax, your brain won’t switch gears easily. Create a work-friendly zone, even if it’s just clearing off a part of your table or playing mood music to shut out unwelcome noise.

    4. Find Rewards That Reinforce

    It’s tempting to binge YouTube after a productive hour, but make sure your rewards don’t undo your progress. (Work for one hour, and watch fun videos for one hour.) Think small and restorative — a short walk, a coffee, a chat with a friend. Your brain should associate completing a task with feeling good, not being distracted.

    Key Takeaway

    Procrastination isn’t about fixing yourself — it’s about adjusting your systems. With a few intentional changes, you can build momentum from small accomplishments instead of waiting for the best moment to get an entire project done.

  • How to Deal with Distractions While at Work

    How to Deal with Distractions While at Work

    Distractions can be relaxing. Distractions can be harmful. How you deal with distractions determines if you can manage your time or watch it slip away from you. Especially at this time of year, it’s easy to lose motivation at work. We’re still partly in holiday mode and readjusting to our work schedule. If you are distracted while at work, try these tips on how to deal with distractions to keep yourself focused.

    1 Shift Your Mind into Work Mode

    Imagine your mind as a bunch of rooms. If you can, divide your life into compartments to avoid distractions. If you work from home, there is plenty to distract you from doing your work. Your family members may want your attention. Or your delicious lunch is tempting you to go to the kitchen. That TV series you’re hooked on is beckoning you to finish one more episode.

    A mental switch into work mode can include changing into work clothes (your work sweater, your work hoodie) and starting your routine, such as getting your cup of coffee, opening up your computer, and checking your work emails. 

    If your job involves a lot of brainstorming and creative thinking, it’s easy to take a moment to check messages on your phone, wander off to get a quick snack, or peek out the window to see what the neighbors are doing. “I’m doing some research,” you say. The break might inspire you with a breakthrough.

    The ding! of a work email can be super exciting if your mind is completely blank and you’re stuck on your creative work task. What should you write next? How do you tackle this problem? Checking a work message can be a nice distraction. After all, you’re still in work mode. You’re just off task. Having a timer helps keep you on task.

    2 Prioritize and Time Your Tasks

    Sometimes, despite your best intentions, it is difficult to stay in work mode. You might still be in holiday mode and feeling sleepy now that you’re getting up early again. However, office hours have begun and you need to get some work done. Devoting a whole eight hours to work instead of doing whatever you like can be daunting.

    Start by mapping out what work tasks you absolutely must complete and what tasks would be nice to complete. Prioritize tasks that must get done by a specific time or end of the day. 

    Use a timer and block off your day in 15 or 30-minute chunks – decide what increment works best for you. It’s easier for your mind to wander if you think you have all day to finish your work. Set a goal to complete a specific task within your time block. With short-term goals, it’s easier to stay focused.

    3 Set Aside Time for Self Care

    Sometimes, telling yourself to switch to work mode or prioritize tasks isn’t enough, especially if you’re dealing with something that affects your mental or physical health. 

    For example, you just found out you have a major health issue to deal with in the coming months or you’re dealing with a conflict at home that’s giving you sleepless nights.

    Provide yourself with something to look forward to, such as a favorite snack or lunch to reward yourself when you finish part of the work day. If you can, take a nap or listen to some music. Go for a walk during lunch. Talk with a friend during your break. What you do after work is important as well, such as spending time with friends or family, or going to the gym. Check if you’re getting enough sleep. Plan an activity so you have something to look forward to at the end of the work week.

    Distractions can be fun, but sometimes too much distraction can lower your productivity.

    What do you do when distractions pull you in multiple directions?

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